I've been wondering why Yuzu's affiliation is not specified. They could've simply listed either Waseda University or Toronto CC Club as his affiliate but instead, they opted to leave the column blank. Could this possibly signify that there's a sponsorship announcement coming up? Or any inside info that he's currently sponsor-hunting?

It might be a simple question of bureaucracy, maybe? I don't think he can have other sponsorships, considering he's just signed with the JOC.

I've been wondering why Yuzu's affiliation is not specified. They could've simply listed either Waseda University or Toronto CC Club as his affiliate but instead, they opted to leave the column blank. Could this possibly signify that there's a sponsorship announcement coming up? Or any inside info that he's currently sponsor-hunting?

Originally Posted by Kalina

It might be a simple question of bureaucracy, maybe? I don't think he can have other sponsorships, considering he's just signed with the JOC.

The blanket part is absolutely associated with sponsorships concepts, be more specific, there are two types of possibilities here, one is something where skater belongs to, high schools, university, skating clubs etc, another one is about where skaters get their major sponsorships, for instance, Kozuka belongs to Toyota Co.

Even though there are both Yuzu and Mura blanked affiliation, but the situation is quite different. For Mura, http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20...390003-n1.html, it's said Mura is trying to find some 'support' as he just graduated from Chukyo University. So I would say the blank affiliation part of Mura must be related to his future sponsorships.

Hence, Yuzu's case is quite weird to me. I'll explain why.

Firstly, for Yuzu, the best example would be Yukari Nakano, same with Yuzu, Yukari was accepted by the School of Human Science, Waseda University (e-learning courses), but hardly you see Yukari Nakano(Waseda Univeristy) as times back before she retired, you always notice it was Yukari Nakano (Prince Hotel), is simply becoz she signed the sponsorship contract with Prince Hotel Co.

中野友加里（プリンスホテル）= Yukari Nakano (Prince Hotel)
In 2009, Yukari's still a student of Waseda University

Secondly, there's a major difference when we are talking about Yuzu and Yukari's case of sponsorships, coz as Kalina stated, Yuzu's already signed with JOC's financial sponsorship program 'Symbol Athletes', Symbol Atheletes program, which involves a limited number of top-tier "Gold Partner" businesses, is aimed at luring 600 million yen in sponsorship deals over four years for rights to use the image of top athletes. (http://www.houseofjapan.com/sport/ol...l-athlete-deal). So zydeco88, there's no need to Yuzu hunting for a financial sponsorship coz he's already had it.

So called 'Gold Partner', you could find a full list at JOC's official website, http://www.joc.or.jp/about/partners/, 'JOC's Gold Partner' along with 'JOC's Partner' pay huge amounts of money to get that rights of using top athletes image for the commercial basis. Therefore Yuzu's sponsorship or in other words affiliation should be from one of JOC's official partner or gold partner if he will choose one of them to be his official sponsorship. BTW, Yuzu will surly included in at least one of JOC's official partner's commercials, one of SA program athletes obligations.

Coming with a BUT, it could be considering Daisuke as an example as discussing of SA program skater's affiliations coz Daisuke renewed his contract with JOC SA program, so literally sharing the same situation with Yuzu, but it's always been Daisuke Takahashi (Kansai University) since Daisuke signed the SA contract. Also it's always been Mao Asada (Chukyo University) while Mao was still an athlete of SA program even she's been having so many sponsorships including some JOC's official partners, LOTTE Co, Airweave Co. etc. So I strongly doubt that Yuzu will choose a JOC's partner as his affiliation rather than Waseda Universtiy, specially he's just at his first year of university.

Then back to the core question, why Yuzu's affiliation is blanked in JSF's official presents, logically I'll go with Yuzu will have an official JOC's partner as his sponsorship or also could say his affiliation, but it's still lack of kinda historical evidence as you could see Daisuke and Mao's cases I listed above.

BTW personally I'm much more interesting to see which agency Yuzu will choose for his career development anyway.

I totally overlooked the fact that he's one of JOC's Symbol Athletes. Thanks for the explanation, wxunxx. Doesn't an athlete usually have a say regarding their affiliation status? I looked through JSF list over the past few years and none of the fields was left blank, so I suppose they'll put up a revised version later? We'll see who he'll align himself with.

To be honest I never saw JSF draw skater's affiliation status blank before. Mura's situation is understandable since he's just graduated from university and hasn't found any official sponsorship yet. But Yuzu? I'm confused coz normally it's very easy to put Waseda University as his affiliation.

An athlete of SA program absolutely claims his/her rights prior to own affiliation status, but it will be much helpful of engaging a professional personal management before and after athletes sign any contract with any organization, simply coz so many legal and PR matters or other economic interests involved at this level which requires a high degree of experienced career consulting expertise . That's why I regard Yuzu's future agency as one of most important factors currently.

The official enhancement athletes will release a final update at JSF's official website on 1st July. Let's keep en eye on it if there's any update of Yuzu's affiliation.

FYI one of basic rules of JOC's SA program, is the rights of using SA athletes' image fully controlled by JOC, this probably one of reasons why videos removed much faster than before.

For the extra cast of The Ice 2013, I think we will see Yuzu's name together with Kanako, Adelina etc showing on the cast list this week if the source is correct lol.

The additional cast for THE ICE has been announced but there's no Yuzu. Adelina, Kovtun, Narumi & her new partner, Kaitlyn & Andrew will be joining the cast. How many spots are left? Or is this already the complete list?

OK, it looks like DOI is coming on its way, according to http://www.marinaice.com/new/2013-04-21-172916.html, Dream On Ice 2013 will be held on 29th June, 30th June, New Yokohama Skating Centre, another ice show that Yuzu might participate. The first line of cast should be released in May. Let's keep an eye on it then.

Originally Posted by Yunamao

Anyway I hope to see a Maozuka pair program like the one from 2011

Sorry that I have to tell you some bad news of Kozu.

Based on today's Nikkan Sports newspaper, Kozu has been confirmed he's suffering some sort of hip joint problem, caused by congenital defects. A complete recovery requires a surgery and at least six month period time of treatment. Kozu, such a fighter, said in the interview he will still fight for Sochi. He left for USA today, 25th April and will train there next two and half month. So I think there's a possibility he might withdraw from The Ice.

According to this site, FaOI will be held on the 6th and 7th of July which, I think increases the chances of Yuzu's participation in DOI due to the proximity of the event dates of both shows. I was under the impression FaOI would be held somewhere in September, probably they're moving forward the dates so as to not interfere with the athletes' preparation for the Olympics season. I think we should also be keeping an eye out for PIW in Tokyo, held from 12th to 15th of July. If he were to participate in all the shows starting from DOI (late June) until THE ICE (late July), there's a possibility that he'd stay in Japan for one whole month.

According to this site, FaOI will be held on the 6th and 7th of July which, I think increases the chances of Yuzu's participation in DOI due to the proximity of the event dates of both shows. I was under the impression FaOI would be held somewhere in September, probably they're moving forward the dates so as to not interfere with the athletes' preparation for the Olympics season. I think we should also be keeping an eye out for PIW in Tokyo, held from 12th to 15th of July. If he were to participate in all the shows starting from DOI (late June) until THE ICE (late July), there's a possibility that he'd stay in Japan for one whole month.

To be honest it's a bit surprised to see official update of DOI 2013 was released such in short time. Do hope this year's ice show schedule could stays for now on behalf of Yuzu's first Olympic season even though I really wanna see Yuzu in The Ice. sigh.

And also the funny thing is where's Yuzu, where's Javi, I guess I have to start to think boys share same manager though IF Yuzu already signed with agency lol.

^ Nam Nguyen will also be joining them in FaOI (based on AI's, a Japanese R&B singer who'll be the featured artist in the show, official blog). And rejoice people, both shows will be broadcasted, DOI by FujiTV and FaOI by TV Asahi.
CC will be holding a summer camp from June 24 to Aug 16 which coincides with the event dates of most shows in concern. So, it could be a strategic decision on CC's part to let them do ice shows while they're running the summer camp.